Canadiens select Price fifth overall

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

Canadiens select Price fifth overall

Canadian Press

7/30/2005 3:02:28 PM

OTTAWA (CP) - The Montreal Canadiens' highest-ranked pick in two decades was enough of a shocker that even the player chosen never saw it coming.

With the No. 5 pick - their highest since 1984 - the Habs selected a goalie.

The fact that Montreal already has a Hart and Vezina trophy winner could explain the slight gasp in the room when the Habs announced their pick: Carey Price.

A 17-year-old Vancouver native who dominated the Western Hockey League last year, Price hugged his parents and recovered quickly enough from his own surprise to stride to the stage.

''I wasn't really expecting to go this high but I'll take it,'' Price said with a laugh. ''I'm numb right now. I don't feel any pressure.''

- www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?ID=131949

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

Only two questions remain: How soon will he make the big-league jump, and is he destined to back up Theodore or replace him?

The NHL's top goalie and MVP in 2002 is a restricted free agent this summer and could be an unrestricted one as early as next year.

The Habs must make a $4.56-million US qualifying offer to keep Theodore for 2005-06, and he could test the free-agent market next summer unless he signs a long-term deal.

Price deftly deflected a question about how they might work together.

''If Jose does sign, I'm looking forward to working with him. If he doesn't, it gives me an opportunity to step in,'' he said. ''Either way I'm looking at it as an opportunity.''

[Habs_fan_in_LA]

mrbozo said:

Only two questions remain: How soon will he make the big-league jump, and is he destined to back up Theodore or replace him?

The NHL's top goalie and MVP in 2002 is a restricted free agent this summer and could be an unrestricted one as early as next year.

The Habs must make a $4.56-million US qualifying offer to keep Theodore for 2005-06, and he could test the free-agent market next summer unless he signs a long-term deal.

Price deftly deflected a question about how they might work together.

''If Jose does sign, I'm looking forward to working with him. If he doesn't, it gives me an opportunity to step in,'' he said. ''Either way I'm looking at it as an opportunity.''

Price can learn from watching Theodore:

How to hold out for more money?
How to be like a fine vintage wine? Have a good year and age four years after that.
How to invest your money at 100% per week?
How not to interface with the press?

As we say in the US, "Jose can you see?"

I wonder if Jose has already been shopped if not traded.

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

December 7, 2004

WHL: Carey Price Q&A
Chris Nichols
McKeen's Hockey Prospects Managing Editor

We caught up with Tri City goalie Carey Price and asked him to give us the inside scoop on his young career. He discusses how great it has been having Olaf Kolzig as a mentor this year, his U-18 gold medal collected over the summer, as well as a wide variety of other subjects.

- mckeenshockey.rivals.com/content.asp?SID=960&CID=361736

[Habit]

Patient Price plays down pressure
Williams Lake lad has no illusions heading into Saturday's entry draft

Steve Ewen
The Province


July 25, 2005

Carey Price is the deeper 'keeper.

While most goaltenders his age and with his talent would have jumped at the chance to join an NHL team 10 minutes ago, Price, the Tri-City Americans star from Williams Lake, has studied how netminders develop and knows that it usually takes time.

Price is projected as a top-10 pick for Saturday's NHL entry draft, meaning that he might be ripe for the picking when the Vancouver Canucks make the No. 10 selection overall.

"It might take me three or four years ... I want to finish my junior career and then play in the American League and develop a bit," said the 6-foot-2, 212-pound Price, who has drawn comparisons with another lanky young backstop, the Canucks' Alex Auld.

"I've seen guys like Dan Blackburn and Marc-Andre Fleury come up right away with mixed results," said Price. "And then you look at a guy like Kari Lehtonen, who went through the [farm] system but is ready to be the No. 1 this year and is very, very solid.

"It's just stuff that I've observed over the years."

Price observes and absorbs a lot. His sharp mind is part of what makes him attractive to NHL teams.

His hockey smarts come quite naturally, too, since his father, Jerry, was an eighth-round draft pick of the Philadelphia Flyers in 1978 who went on to tend goal in the minors for four years.

"He has just told me not to worry because the draft is out of my control," said Price, who turns 18 next month. "He's just told me whomever drafts me has a plan and I shouldn't worry about it."

And he doesn't worry. Ever.

Price's recent graduation ceremonies from Williams Lake Secondary were on the same day he was coming home from the NHL scouting combine in Toronto. His plane ended up being an hour late, but Price didn't fret, figuring that things would somehow work out.

Sure enough, just as he walked into the gymnasium where they were holding the event, the principal was calling his name to come up and get his diploma. He never broke stride from the front door of the building.

An omen, stating that patience has its positives? Perhaps. Only time will truly tell and Price knows that.

"He's a pretty level-headed kid," said Tri-City general manager Bob Tory. "He's very focused, down to earth, comes from a good family.

"Most young athletes are in a hurry, and sometimes that's not the best thing. We've seen a lot of careers get derailed over the years.

"He's a big athlete and he's quick, but he knows that he's got lots to improve on." [e-mail]